About Themis Law
We are a boutique New Zealand law firm with a focus on conflict resolution, property law and valuation law.
We know that life isn’t always easy. We believe that problem-solving using legal tools is very powerful and we use these tools to guide and inform our clients to solve their problems and disputes.
We offer considered, well-reasoned, and balanced advice when routine problems turn complicated.
We put ourselves between our clients and their problem giving our clients the chance to make well thought through decisions about how their problem is resolved.
We provide insight into complex areas of property law, valuation law, dispute resolution, and arbitration.
We offer unique perspectives on problems that others may not be fully trained or experienced to do.
We have skills and experience that are unique in Australasia.
We collaborate with respected professionals because we do not profess to know every answer.
We establish long-lasting positive relationships with our clients.
We are here to help.
Lawrence Hill
LLB, B.Com(VPM)(Rural and Urban)(Lincoln), Dip.Bus.Stud(Disp Res)(Arbitration)
Barrister & Solicitor, Registered Valuer, Member NZLS, AAMINZ, ANZIV, SPINZ
Was admitted to the New Zealand Bar in 2000 having followed a passion for dispute resolution in the mid-1990’s. He became involved with rent disputes as a registered valuer. Seeking to gain a greater understanding and knowledge of the law and arbitration his passion for helping people solve problems prompted a move from the valuation profession to the legal profession.
Is a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, a Registered Valuer, an Associate of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand, an Associate of the member of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers, and a Senior Member of the Property Institute of New Zealand. He also holds Australian qualifications in environmental noise, people and noise, noise modelling and prediction, and wind farm noise.
He actively promotes a wide variety of resolution techniques to advance the needs of his clients. He has served on the Canterbury District Law Society dispute resolution committees and has been appointed to two judicial roles to the Disputes Tribunal and the Land Valuation Tribunal. Combined he has heard well over 500 matters. He has also been appointed to the Quantity Surveyors Complaints Tribunal. As a trained arbitrator he has had been involved with a very wide range of dispute resolutions.
In 2010 he was proudly elected to the Lincoln University Council by the academic staff and has an active interest in governance and tertiary education and tertiary education law.
He has helped organised and develop Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ group meetings in Hamilton and Christchurch and has taught law and valuation practice and procedure at university.
Why Themis
Why Themis? In Greek mythology, Themis is the daughter of Gaia (earth mother) and Uranus (sky father). This origin is similar to Māori mythology with Ranginui and Papatūānuku as primordial deities.
Themis is one of the twelve Titans who were the second generation of divine beings and may be described as being the Lady of Good Counsel and is seen as the personification of divine order, fairness, law, natural law, and custom. Justitia, has similarities in Roman mythology, although the mythologies are subtly different.
More recently, a blindfold is often seen on depictions of both Themis and Justitia and it is said to represent ‘blind justice’ meaning that the law is the same for all those who come before it to be judged. However, in early Greek mythology Themis was the first to hold the office of Oracle so, with or without her eyesight, Themis could still see into the future and the consequences of her judgment. We cannot understate the importance of striving to understand our clients end goals and the outcomes they may seek.